To All Parents
I'll lend you for a little while
A child of mine, He said.
It may be for 3 years or 29 instead.
But will you, till I call her back,

Take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charm to gladden you,
And, should her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,
Since all from life return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
I have selected you.

Now will you give her all your love
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call
To take her back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done,"
For all the joy the child shall bring
The risks of grief will run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness,
We'll love her while we may,
And, for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call her
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand.